Knitting machine needle



My 12, 1942. Y J, P, PRlMM I 2,282,824

KNITTING MACHINE NEEDLE Filed June 4; 1941 nventor Patented May 1.2, `1942 UNITED STATE s PATENT oFFlcE xNrr'rrNG MACHINE NEEDLE Joseph P. Primm, Rome, Ga., assignor of onehalf to Rome Hosiery Mills, Rome, Ga., a cors poration of Georgia application June s, 1941, semi No. 396,617

islaam.. (cl. en -121) This invention .relates to improvements in needles such as are used iin knitting machines. In making this statement it is desired to add that there is no limitation upon the specific uses of the needle in the broad classiiication of knitting machines. The particular adaptation contemplated herein for the improved needle is to circular knitting machines, including circular knitsponsible for most of the faults which are overcome by theimprovement.

Fourth, to materially reduce eliminating the special shaping of the latch,

. which as is commonly known is of such an exlting machines which have dial needles combined beard need1es although an mustrauon of thelatter is not included'herein. The current use of latch needles, the description being confined to that type, has manifested a number of disadvantages which when summarized canv be attributed chieiiy to undue friction in the process of manipulating the needles with respect to the yarn. This statement is elaborated upon later on, but it leads to an expression of the objects of the invention which are as follows:

First, to provide a latch needle wherein the structure of the hook and latch is so reorganized the acts of shedding the stitch and clearing the latch.

Second, to provide a needle of the character described wherein the common faults of currently used latch needles are avoided by the sequestration of the tip of theI latch in a recess in the extremity of the hook,y said recess occupying a position on the outer perimeter ofthe hook to provide for a free seating of said tip in the recess as to materially reduce the factor of friction in 35 during the shedding of the stitch,'and as free a 45 departure therefrom when gravitating to its open position.

Third, to provideA a needle of the character described, especially of the diminutive sizes used fied hook tip is kept within the confines of the thickness of the shank, as distinguished from needles of the type under consideration wherein the spoon terminal of the latch is broader than tremely small size that the needed special shap-- ing in themaking of the spoon involves an intricate mechanical procedure, and transferring the required nner operation to the hook on which said operation can be performed to better advantage because of its comparatively large size.

Otherobjects and advantagesV will appear in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1- is a side elevation of theupper portion of a llatch needle made in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is a front elevation of the hook and latch end ofthe needle on a much enlarged scale.

- Figure 3 is a cross s'ection taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is afront elevation of the improved needle, illustrating a modied construction.

The needle generally designated I is basically the same as currently3 used latch needles. comprises a shank 2 whichtoward its upper end is provided with the cheeks 3 between which the. latch 4 is pivoted. Said cheeks merge into thethroat 5 which terminates in the hook .6.

The cheeks 3 result from the kerfingofthe shank 2 at l, theA lkerfproviding a chamber in which the heel-8 of the latch" is freely swung on its pivot 9. The latch periodically gravitates to the open position '(dotted lines, Fig. 1) in the knitting operation, requiring the freedom of moy tion which supplied by its free mounting in the kerf 1 as stated.

Attention is first directed to the latch 4 which,

las seen in Fig. 2, has a body II'I which for most of its length is made quite thin. It flares laterally at II toward the previously mentioned tip, now designated I2. 'Ihe appearance of the latch when viewed from the front (Fig. 2) is somewhat on the order of a club, the virtue of the flares at. II and of the ultimate lateral enlarge.

ment in the tip I2 being not ,only the strength- 4 ening of this essential part of the latch but more in-ne knitting, wherein the width of the modilargely its matching in configuration with the extremity I3 of the hook 6 in themanner presently made clear.

' Upon viewing the latch 4 from the side (Fig. l)

it is seen that the breadth ofthe body I0 rethe shank is thick and for that reason being re- Vmains at approximately a uniform dimension, a

the uimcuuies in. manufacturinglatch needles and consequently to reduce the cost of said manufacture, by virtually diminution in size being apparent at the approximate point I4 which responds substantially to the beginning of the lateral flares II (Fig. 2). A

comparison of the latch in Figs. 1 and 2 shows that it is devoid of such special shaping as will classify it with an intricate manufacture. As

brought out before and as is commonly known,

the latch of a needle especially of the small size used in knitting hosiery comprises an extremely small part.

It is necessarily made so because of its requirement to pass through the loop in the knitting operation, and if it were possible to confine the latch to a substantially straight piece of metal many of the, faults encountered in 'knitting would not arise. However, currently used latch needles are distinguished by a.spoon terminal on each latch which is broader than the needle shank is thick in the circumferential direction of the needle cylinder.

Moreover, the current seating of the spoon terminal of the latch upon the outer perimeter of the extremity of the hook accentuates the foregoing excess breadth of the spoon so that in the process of knitting abnormal tension is produced because of the necessity of the loop having to accommodate a greater bulk than would be presented in the absence of the spoon. This circumstance is responsible for correlated factors, namely, the excessive expanse of metal which has to pass through the loop and the resulting increase in tightness of the loop.

Reverting to the latch l in Figs. 1 and 2 it is apparent there that the lateral'flaring at II is the chiefly distinguishing characteristic, the

expanded extremity I3 and the recess I1 are responsible to the single stroke of a die.

As is plainly seen in Fig. 3, the recess I1 constitutes an indentation in the front perimeter of the extremity I3. Said indentation is generally of a V shape, although it isI desirably modified therefrom by rounding the .bottom at I3 as well as the terminals I9 where mergence occurs with the external surface of the extremity. The recess II tapers off toward the crownof the hook i (Fig. 2) ybut the major part of it in the region of the maximum I is well adapted to the sequestration of the tip I2 of the latch l.

Itis not intended that all of the tip I2 shall be pocketed in the recess I1. The approximate relationship of the latch tothe hook is shown in Fig'. 3 from which it will be observed that the feature of predominating importance resting upon this configuration of the latch,.particularly its 'extreme thinness of the body III, being that the of latches, the kerf 1 can be made of less width with the result that the cheeks 3 will be thicker.

Attention is next directed to the hook 8, especially the extremity I3. The configuration of the latter is well shown in Figs. 2 and 3 from which it will be observed that the diameter of the hook is expanded into the region of the extremity I3 until the maximum is reached at l5. This maximum falls within the confines of the thickness of the shank 2 as is seen by the projection lines I 6, remembering that the basisof the thickness of the shank was previously laid in terms of the circumferential direction of the needle cylinder. The distinction here is that in currently used needles the apparent thickness of the shanks is excessive because of the projection of the lateral margins of each spoon beyond the sides of the respective latch. It is this projection which is responsible forl abnormal friction against the yarn especially in the loop shedding operation.

For example a plain hook shape may be made and the recess Il then formed in the outer perimeter of the extremity I3 by means' other than through impression. But to carry out one mode of making the hook t, the acts of producing the outer surface 2li of the tip I2 falls substantially within the continuation at 2| of the oval cross section of the hook extremity I3.

The virtue of this relative disposition of the two parts is that a uniform cross-section is preserved at the very place which in current needles is the cause of rupturing the yarn at times because of the projection of the, latch spoon beyond the bounds of the hook cross-section. The foregoing uniformity of the hook and latch at the cross sectional point of contact (Fig. 3) makes for perfect smoothness of the contacting surfaces. This smoothness also extends to the extremely near approach to actual blending of surfaces which occurs at the place where the rounding at 22 of the extremity I3 meets the lateral flares II of the latch I.

It will be apparent from Figs. 1 and 2 taken in conjunction with the foregoing statements,

that the act of shedding a stitch can be accomplished with the minimum of friction insofar as the needle is concerned. Said act occurs when the latch is .closed as shown, and by virtue of eliminating outstanding obstructions such as the sides of a spoon on the latch of a currently used needle it follows, as has been stated, that excessive friction and the tendency to rupture the yarn are virtually non-existent.

A similar advantage occurs'in the act of clearing the latch, in other words, when the needle is projected upwards preparatory to drawing down a new stitch. At that time the latch 4 recedes in the kerf 1, occupying the dotted line position (Fig. l) against the shank of the needle. From an examination of Fig. 2 it is readily visualized that the tip I2 comes well within the theoretical boundary of the shank 2, it being plain that this is so because of the noticeably narrower cross dimension of the tip I2 as compared with the thickness of the shank.

'I'hus in clearing the latch there is again the absence of setting up excessive friction against the yarn, providing the occasion to point out that under the same circumstance in a current type of needle the frictional effort required in shedding the stitch when the needle is closed being repeated when clearing the latch in the open position of the latter, the outstanding sides of the .spoon each time being responsible yi'or the inordinate friction. The tendency to cut the yarn in the act of clearing the latch is magniiied in current needlesbecause of the then exposed edges of the spoon being considerably sharper than'the rounded edges of the spoon which are presented to the yarn in the stitchshedding position.

- Toward the end of diminishing the thickness lateral dimension of the extremity of the hook even more than disclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and l3, the modification in Fig. 4 is included in this disclosure to show how the latch may exist suboccurrences of broken thread and nnally fewer i seconds. lt- I A factor of considerable importance is that the instant needle produces a very satisfactory, unistantially as a straight piece of metal as sug- 6 form stitch. This is due to the fac't that the gested above. All parts 'in Fig. 4 are identified by the reference numerals of corresponding parts in Fig. 1, being distinguished therefrom by the exponent letter a. The latch da may be yarn is never stretched to excess. The direct result of said uniform stitch is a noticeably nner and smoother fabric. This is satisfactory both from the standpoint of the manufacturer and of uniform thickness from its pivot 9a, to the l0 to a less degree from the standpoint of the tip |211, but desirably is slightly tapered at 33 from approximately a point midway of the body ma to the tip I2a. By an extension of the idea of tapering it is not imperative that this shall ultimate wearer. 'I'he latter is critical of the fabric from the standpoint of its appearance'but this traces back to the manufacture of. said fabric because when the latter is smooth as stated,

start midway of the distance between the ext-1 15 being devoid of places under undue tension, it

tremities `of the latch because it is conceivable that the taper might begin at the pivot 8 and be continuous to the tip Ita.

The advantage of the diminished size. of latch becomes possible to dye the fabric with a far greater degree of uniformity than is now possible. Reverting to the step of clearing the latch, it

. is known that a denite downward drag occurs insofar as thickness is concerned, resides in the on the latch while the needle is on its way to capability of reducing the lateral expanse of the hook extremity H30.. The recess ila is required to be only broad enough to allow the seating of the tip la, this being interpreted to mean that the extremity isa is correspondingly narrow.

In fact said extremity I3a can be appreciably diminished `in size from the cross section of the hook 6a and yet provide an ample area of metal for the formation of the recess lla as well as an position the yarn below the latch. Similarly, a definite upward drag occurs on the latch while the needle is on its way down to a position whereat the stitch is shed. On both occasions the drag on the latch has a tendency to elongate the pivot hole. Not only is there this tendency, but actually the pivot hole is elongated, resulting in such a loosening of the latch that upon' closure of the latch the spoon willl fail to register with the exadequate resting place for the tip of the latch 30 tremiti? 0f the hOOk. Causing the tip of the latch when in its closed position. It is desirable that the outer and inner edges of the latch da shall be rounded, thereby to diminish still further the frictional component against the yarn as well as to avoid the chance of cutting the yarn.

It is now desired to elaborate upon the common faults occurring in the process of knitting and the manner in which the improved needle overcomes them. As previously stated, the chief to extend an objectionable distance upwards of the hook, making the latch project forwardly of the hook even more than in a new needle. The effect is an even greater friction against the yarn, and this is repeated in the instance where the latch fails entirely to lie against the hook, being displaced to one side or the other as the direct result of the loosening of its pivot. As readily seen that when this happens there will advantage of the improvement is attributed to 40 be a jamming 0f the latch egainst the Side 0f the reorganization of the chief components of the needle whereby undue frirction is eliminated as between the needle and the yarn in the act of knitting. The side portions of the spoon on the latch in current needles cause a supertension on the yarn both in shedding the stitch and in clearing the latch. The result is excessive friction and a rapid wear on the needle parts.

By condensing the latch, so to speak, in other the hook, preventing the latter from gravitating when it should and exposing the hook to a catching of the stitch when the stitch should be shed.

An outstanding fault of the spoon on the latch is its being vulnerable to a constant wearing down on the outside until the inside lateral edges become sharpened to an amazing degree. Consequently when the needle rises to clear the latch,

words by restricting its free tip to a lateral diin 0ther WOldS When the needle iS mOi/'ed 11D pest mension well within the connes of the needle shank thickness, and at the same time keeping the hook extremity I3 also within said coniines despite the fact of its expansion it has become the yarnto bring the latter to a position below the latch, said sharpened edges traverse the yarn and frequently cut it. By keeping, the tip of the latch within the confines of the thickness of the possible to definitely eliminate undue friction Shank there is practically n0 Suchfwear 0n the latch as will cause the sharpening of the inner edges. Consequently the likelihood to The instant needle is capable of knitting a :tal 30 greater number of plies of yarn than is possible with' commonly known needles. This is because of the fact that less friction is involved in the` .operation of the improved needle.

In plaiting wherein a fine grade of yarn is mentioned supertension on the yarn because of backed by a cheaper grade 0l' wherein a face having to move excessive thicknesses of metal past the `yarn in the stitch shedding and latch` clearing operations. Whenever a needle breaks a` fault will occur inthe character of the knitting,

fault will showin the knit fabric when the thread breaks. It can readily be seen that by eliminating to a very large exte'nt the source of both faults, as has been done by the improved lyarn of one color is backed by a yarn of another color, it is essential to maintain the two yarns in the same relationship to the machine between the yarn guides and the needles. The necessity producing what is known as seconds, This same for this requirement arises from the fact that if said yarns should reverse themselves in position there would also be a reversal of the relationship of the yarns to the knitted goods. The excess tension produced by currently used needles is needle, there will be fewer broken needles, fewer often responsible for a reversal4 in position of the cut the yarn is greatly diminished.

common knitting. This excess tension is necessary to keep the backing yarn above the facing yarn while on the needle. Because of the material lessening of disturbing influences by reason of eliminating abruptprojections from the contour of the latch it has become possible to feed the backing yarn under less tension because it will remain properly disposed without the necessity of the excess tension. f

The nearly universal practice of using a heavvier yarn for the facing in making plaited fabrics thereby to cover up imperfections appearing on the face of the fabric because of a reversal of the threads, is capable of being departed from by use of the instant needle in conjunction with facing and backing yarns of the same size. The

l reason for this is that there are so fewer instances of misplaiting that there is no necessity of using a, facing yarn of heavier gage because of there being little or nothing to have tocover up.

In conclusion it is desired to state that the foregoing listing of advantages derived from the use of the improved needle in contradistinction to the faults of the commonly known existing needle does not complete the statements that could be made in the foregoing behalf. Actually a number of other advantages are derived from the improved needle, and important ones at that, but it is preferred to rest the description here so that full emphasis may'be gained by a considerable of what has been set forth.

I claim:

1. A knitting needle comprising av shank having a throat terminating in a hook with which to loop a yarn strand into a stitch, said hook having an extremity-of a lateral' dimension differing from the diametrical size of the throat and hook and being provided with-an elongated recess on its `outer perimeter, said recess extending from a point adjacent the top of the hook to the free end, and a latch pivoted at one end to the shank, having a free end which is of less thickness than the throat and being adapted to seat in the recess and be confined therein so that the combined outer faces of the hook and free en of the latch will present a smooth surface to the thread.

' 2. A knitting needle comprising'a shank having 'a throat of less diametrical size than the thickness of the shank in the circumferential direction of a cylinder in which said needle is useable, a hook branching from, the throat for llooping a yarn strand into a stitch, said hook having an extremity expanded laterally so as to be broader than the throat is thick, the maximum dimension of said extremity lying within said thickness of the shank, a recess in the outer perimeter of the extremity, and a vlatch pivoted at one end on the shank and having an enlargedtip adapted to rest in saidrecess within the confines of said expanded terminal.

3. A knitting needlel comprising a shank having a throat merging into a hook, said throat and hook being of `less diametrical size than the shank is thick in the circumferential direction of a cylinder in-which said needle. is useable,4

said hook having an extremity diminishing to a size less than the diameter of the hook and throat and having an external recess, and a latch pivoted atone end to the shank and having a tapering free end adapted to seat in the recess.

4. A knitting needle comprising a; shank having a hook to loop a yarn strand into a stitch, said hook having an extremity. with an external recess elongated in the direction of the hook,

said recess having a rounded bottom and rounded side terminals merging into the cross section of the extremity, and a latch pivoted at one end to the shank, having a tip at its free extremity of cross-sectionally substantially ovold shape to occupy the recesses in shedding the stitch and falling substantially within the circumferential oontour of said extremity.

v JOSEPH P. PRIMM. 

